Batata Vada (Potato Pakora)

Batata vada one of the most popular snack in Gujarat and vada-pao one of the most popular snack of Mumbai!!!

In our (paternal) family, there is a tradition to make these vadas every single time when we have any celebrations or general get-together. Be it a birthday party, wedding, a Hajji party, Iftar Party, Eid, Chaand Raat party, and the list goes on...

My father's family is pretty big with five brothers and a sister.. and about thirteen cousins... we make a big family I tell ya... so every time we have these functions, these vadas are the MUST!!! While my aunts prepare these deliciously little devils... us kids (well grown ups now but kids then) would not budge away from the kitchen just to eat 'em hot!

Now being thousands and thousands miles away from all of them (my aunts, cousins, and those little devils); the only way I can comfort myself would be to prepare them at home... but it always misses THAT feeling which is really hard to describe in words... you know what I mean...

But one thing is for sure that every time I prepare these all those good old memories come right back leaving me that fresh and fun feeling, which I just love to have...

Now without further ramblings let me get to the recipe :)

Ingredients:

1. Two medium potatoes - boiled
2. 7-8 strings of fresh coriander - finely chopped.
3. 4-5 green chilies - finely chopped
4. Turmeric powder - half tblsp
5. Salt per taste
6. Lime juice - one tblsp
7. For tempering: 3 tblsp oil; 2-3 curry leaves; and, 1/4 tblsp mustard seeds
8. For the outer shell batter: Half cup besan (gram flour); half tsp red chili powder, half tsp dhaniya powder, salt per taste, half cup water.
9. Oil for frying

Process:

1. Prepare the outer shell batter by mixing all the ingredients. Make sure the batter is thick so that it will stick to the vadas.
2. In a bowl, mix together boiled potatoes, coriander, lime juice, salt, green chilies and turmeric powder.
3. In a small pan, heat oil, add in curry leaves and mustard seeds.
4. Once the seeds start to splutter pour it on the potato mixture and mix well.
5. In a medium wok, heat oil for frying
6. Make small round shaped balls out of the potato mixture.
7. Dip the balls in the besan batter prepared in step one and then dip it in the oil.
8. Fry it till golden brown.
9. Repeat the process with the remaining potato mixture balls.
10. Serve hot with ketchup or with pav (bread).

I am sending this recipe to Iftar Moments Event held by super talented Umm Mymoonah at Taste of Pearl City...

ENJOY!!!!

Reposted this recipe at http://desizayeka.blogspot.com/2012/07/ramadan-collections.html

Submitting to the following events (see further details at the link above):
Joy from Fasting to Feasting - V

Ramadan Friendly Recipes